Awakening to Urgency: Living in the Light of Christ

 

Summary

In our study of Romans 13:11-14, we are reminded of the urgency and significance of the times we live in. Paul exhorts us to awaken from spiritual slumber, recognizing that our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the day is almost here, urging us to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. This passage is a call to live in the light of Christ, embodying love as the fulfillment of the law, as Paul has been teaching since Romans 12.

The Apostle Paul provides a compelling reason for this call to action: the doctrine of eschatology, or the last things. This doctrine is unique to Christianity and sets it apart from other moral and ethical systems. While other philosophies may offer moral guidance, they lack the ultimate motive and purpose that Christianity provides through the lens of eschatology. This doctrine teaches us to view our lives and conduct in light of God's ultimate purpose and the coming of His kingdom.

Paul's message is not just about individual conduct but about understanding the times. We live in the last days, the period between Christ's first and second coming. This understanding should shape our worldview, influencing how we live and interact with the world. The Christian view of history is not linear or cyclical but is directed towards a predetermined end, orchestrated by God. This divine history is progressive, always moving towards the fulfillment of God's ultimate plan.

As Christians, we are called to live with an awareness of this divine timeline, understanding that our actions and lives are part of a larger, God-ordained narrative. This perspective should inspire us to live righteously, with a sense of urgency and purpose, knowing that the time is short and the days are evil. We are to redeem the time, making the most of every opportunity to live out our faith in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Awakening to Urgency: We are called to awaken from spiritual slumber, recognizing the urgency of the times. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed, urging us to live in the light of Christ and cast off the works of darkness. This awareness should drive us to live with purpose and intentionality. [00:33]

- Eschatology as Motivation: The doctrine of eschatology provides a unique motivation for Christian living. Unlike other moral systems, Christianity offers a view of history and life that is directed towards God's ultimate purpose, giving us a profound reason to live righteously. [05:25]

- Understanding the Times: As Christians, we are called to understand the times we live in, recognizing that we are in the last days between Christ's first and second coming. This understanding should shape our worldview and influence our conduct. [14:27]

- Divine History: The Christian view of history is not random or purposeless but is part of a divine narrative orchestrated by God. This history is progressive, always moving towards the fulfillment of God's plan, and we are participants in this divine story. [29:42]

- Living with Purpose: Knowing the time and understanding God's plan should inspire us to live with urgency and purpose. We are to redeem the time, making the most of every opportunity to live out our faith and shine the light of Christ in a dark world. [44:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Romans 13:11-14
- [00:33] - The Urgency of Awakening
- [01:15] - Savoring Spiritual Nourishment
- [02:08] - St. Augustine's Transformation
- [03:02] - Love as Fulfillment of the Law
- [05:09] - The Doctrine of Eschatology
- [06:20] - Christian Conduct and Doctrine
- [07:57] - Unique Christian Motivation
- [09:12] - The Biblical View of History
- [10:01] - This World and the World to Come
- [11:37] - Doctrine and Application
- [14:27] - Understanding the Times
- [19:32] - The Christian View of Time
- [29:42] - Divine History and Redemption
- [44:41] - Living with Purpose and Urgency

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Romans 13:11-14

Bible Reading:
- Romans 13:11-14

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he says, "our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed"? How does this statement relate to the urgency of the times? [00:33]

2. In Romans 13:12, Paul uses the metaphor of "night" and "day." What do these terms symbolize in the context of this passage? [00:54]

3. How does Paul describe the conduct that Christians should avoid, and what should they "put on" instead? [00:54]

4. What is the significance of the phrase "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" in the context of this passage? [00:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the doctrine of eschatology provide a unique motivation for Christian living, according to the sermon? [05:25]

2. What does it mean to "redeem the time," and why is this concept important for Christians living in the "last days"? [44:41]

3. How does understanding the divine timeline and God's ultimate plan influence a Christian's worldview and daily conduct? [19:32]

4. In what ways does the Christian view of history as a divine narrative differ from secular views of history? [29:42]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual state. Are there areas where you feel spiritually asleep? What steps can you take to awaken and live with more urgency and purpose? [00:33]

2. Consider the concept of "putting on the armor of light." What practical actions can you take this week to embody this metaphor in your daily life? [00:54]

3. How can the understanding of living in the "last days" change the way you prioritize your time and resources? What specific changes might you make? [14:27]

4. Identify a situation in your life where you can "cast off the works of darkness." What specific actions will you take to address this? [00:54]

5. How does the knowledge of God's ultimate purpose and divine timeline inspire you to live righteously? Share a personal example of how this perspective has influenced your decisions. [19:32]

6. Think of a person or community that needs the light of Christ. What is one tangible way you can shine Christ's light in that context this week? [44:41]

7. Reflect on the sermon’s emphasis on love as the fulfillment of the law. How can you demonstrate this love in a challenging relationship or situation in your life? [03:02]

Devotional

Day 1: Awakening to Spiritual Urgency
In Romans 13:11-14, Paul emphasizes the urgency of awakening from spiritual slumber. He reminds believers that their salvation is nearer now than when they first believed, urging them to live in the light of Christ and cast off the works of darkness. This call to action is not just about personal conduct but about recognizing the times we live in. The night is nearly over, and the day is almost here, which should drive us to live with purpose and intentionality. Understanding the urgency of the times should inspire believers to embody love as the fulfillment of the law, as Paul has been teaching since Romans 12. [00:33]

Ephesians 5:14-16 (ESV): "For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel spiritually asleep? How can you take a step today to awaken and live with greater purpose and intentionality?


Day 2: Eschatology as a Unique Motivation
The doctrine of eschatology provides a unique motivation for Christian living, setting Christianity apart from other moral systems. While other philosophies may offer moral guidance, they lack the ultimate motive and purpose that Christianity provides through the lens of eschatology. This doctrine teaches believers to view their lives and conduct in light of God's ultimate purpose and the coming of His kingdom. Understanding that history is directed towards a predetermined end orchestrated by God gives Christians a profound reason to live righteously and with hope. [05:25]

2 Peter 3:11-13 (ESV): "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

Reflection: How does the promise of God's ultimate purpose and the coming of His kingdom influence your daily decisions and actions? What is one specific way you can live with this eternal perspective today?


Day 3: Understanding the Times
As Christians, we are called to understand the times we live in, recognizing that we are in the last days between Christ's first and second coming. This understanding should shape our worldview and influence our conduct. The Christian view of history is not linear or cyclical but is directed towards a predetermined end, orchestrated by God. This divine history is progressive, always moving towards the fulfillment of God's ultimate plan. By understanding the times, believers can live with a sense of urgency and purpose, making the most of every opportunity to live out their faith. [14:27]

1 Chronicles 12:32 (ESV): "Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command."

Reflection: In what ways can you better understand the times we live in and align your actions with God's unfolding plan? How can this understanding change the way you interact with the world around you today?


Day 4: Participating in Divine History
The Christian view of history is not random or purposeless but is part of a divine narrative orchestrated by God. This history is progressive, always moving towards the fulfillment of God's plan, and believers are participants in this divine story. Understanding that our actions and lives are part of a larger, God-ordained narrative should inspire us to live righteously, with a sense of urgency and purpose. Knowing that the time is short and the days are evil, Christians are called to redeem the time, making the most of every opportunity to live out their faith in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ. [29:42]

Acts 17:26-27 (ESV): "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us."

Reflection: How does knowing that you are part of God's divine narrative change your perspective on your daily life? What is one way you can actively participate in God's story today?


Day 5: Living with Purpose and Urgency
Knowing the time and understanding God's plan should inspire believers to live with urgency and purpose. Christians are called to redeem the time, making the most of every opportunity to live out their faith and shine the light of Christ in a dark world. This call to action is not just about individual conduct but about understanding the times and recognizing that we are in the last days. By living with purpose and urgency, believers can make a significant impact in the world, embodying love as the fulfillment of the law and pointing others to the hope found in Christ. [44:41]

Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: What is one specific opportunity you have today to live out your faith and shine the light of Christ in your community? How can you make the most of this opportunity with wisdom and grace?

Quotes

"Paul's epistle to the Romans in chapter 13 and from the beginning of verse 11 to the end of the chapter verses 11 to 14 of the thirteenth chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans and that knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed the night is far spent the day is at hand let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light." [00:00:10]

"Now what we have here of course as I was indicating last time is the Apostle giving us a great final reason for doing what he's been exhorting us to do from the beginning of chapter 12 which he has summed up in the immediately preceding verses where he has said oh no man anything but to love one another for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." [00:02:25]

"This is what God desires of you he's explained in the law the kind of people we should be and how we should live but we couldn't do that but Christ has come and he has come not only to bear the guilt and the punishment of our sins but to enable us to live the law of God." [00:03:08]

"Now what is the doctrine that he puts before us here because he really only puts one big doctrine before us in this final argument and this is the doctrine for me to use the jargon the technical term it's the doctrine of eschatology or if you prefer it the doctrine of the last things the doctrine of God's ultimate purpose." [00:05:16]

"This is the peculiar differentiating special thing about the Christian faith that the puts everything in the light of this doctrine of the ultimate or the last thing now it would be very simple indeed to show that this is the characteristic of the biblical teaching from beginning to end it's a great argument in the Old Testament as well as in the new." [00:08:31]

"The Bible looks at everything in the light of the ultimate girl that ultimate destiny with a which awaits not only every one of us as an individual but the whole world and indeed the whole cosmos but this is quite special to this you'll find it no one else at all." [00:09:02]

"Now what do we know what is the biblical teaching with regard to time and with regard to history well we can put it like this in general he tells us that there are two types of history there is that sort of history to which I've been referring what's that well if you like you can call it men's history." [00:28:47]

"The second type of history is the important one and that is the history that God produces now the second type of history is not a history that God permits he produces this and this is the really significant history this is the thing which the Bible is concerned about God's history holy history or if you prefer it Redemption history." [00:29:42]

"This is a history which is predetermined by God obviously he's planned it all we determine it all I needn't keep you with this if you believe a tome in prophecy in the sense of for telling well that's exactly what it means prophecy is only possible because God has predetermined that certain things should happen at a given time." [00:31:13]

"The second characteristic of this history which God produces is that it is progressive and that it is always leading on to a predetermined end known to God are all things from the foundation of the world and God knows the in as well as the beginning so the Bible keeps on in various ways using a phrase such as this then cometh the end." [00:33:07]

"Now the Bible's always got its eye on this end and this is clearly an outstanding characteristic of this history that God produces its he doesn't take that massively the God doesn't act by way of reacting to what men does we must get rid of that notion once and forever God is always the initiator he is the prime mover he is the great cause." [00:33:52]

"Enable us all to know when to realize and to discern and to understand the time in which we live the true history that metals the things the only things that shall finally come o God receive our humble and unworthy praise and lead us on we humbly beseech thee above all enable us to be circumspect and walk circumspectly redeeming the time because the days are evil." [00:46:54]

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Transcript
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